Method and system for specialty sportball construction

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method of constructing a specialty sportball that includes creating a graphic, producing a print of the graphic as a function of an sportball printer, providing at least two panels transferring the print to at least one panel, attaching the one panel to the second panel, and forming a specialty sportball from the attached panels with artwork thereon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In general, the invention relates to sports equipment. Morespecifically, the invention relates to the construction of sportsequipment and in particular, to a method for constructing specialtysportballs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The market for specialty sportballs is growing. A specialtysportball has the shape and feel of a regulation ball, for example aregulation football or soccer ball. An important aspect of the specialtysportball is the artwork on the ball. One particular style of artwork ona specialty sportball may be sold in large quantities. For example, if aspecialty football has a team logo thereon, a fan of that team would bethe typical purchaser. However, a considerable market exists in thecreation of specialty sportballs with new printing technologies.

[0003] Since the specialty sportball is not normally purchased forcompetitive use, its essential reason for existence, the unique artworkon the specialty sportball, is critical to its marketability. Typicalshortcomings of current specialty sportball designs include lifting offof the artwork from the panel of the sportball, fading or discolorationof the artwork, printed panels which are shiny unlike standard autograph(white, smooth) panels, and a low initial inability to print vibrantcolors.

[0004] Thus, there is a significant need for a method and system forimproving the construction of a specialty sportball that overcomes theabove disadvantages and shortcomings, as well as other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One aspect of the invention provides a method for constructing aspecialty sportball, which includes creating a graphic, producing aprint of the graphic using an sportball printer, and transferring theprint to at least one of a multiple of panels. The panels are attachedin a manner as to form a specialty sportball.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, asystem for constructing a specialty sportball is provided, whichincludes a means for creating a graphic, and a means for producing aprint of the graphic using an sportball printer. Also included is ameans for providing at least two panels, means for transferring theprint to at least one panel, means for attaching the one panel to thesecond panel, and means for forming a specialty sportball from theattached panels.

[0007] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventionwill become further apparent from the following detailed description ofthe presently preferred embodiment, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merelyillustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of theinvention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a cross section view through one embodiment of aspecialty sportball, in accordance with the current invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a plan view for one embodiment of a vinyl presentationpanel forming a portion of the specialty sportball of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the current invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the vinylpresentation panel of FIG. 2 with a standard ball lining attached, inaccordance with the current invention; and

[0011]FIG. 4 is one embodiment of a printer capable of producing anartwork onto the vinyl presentation panel of FIG. 2, in accordance withthe current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, wherein like referencenumbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout severalembodiments of the invention. One embodiment of the present inventionprovides that a sportball may be produced in a like manner to afootball, soccer ball, basketball, rugby ball, or any other ballproduced from panels as is known in the art, thus producing for examplea football. In this embodiment, a sportball is not intended for use inan actual sporting event. In an additional embodiment, the sportball maybe produced as a football, soccer ball, basketball, rugby ball, or anyother ball produced from panels as is known in the art, thus producingfor example a regulation football. In this embodiment, the sportball maybe used in an actual sporting event.

[0013] For one embodiment of the invention, a sportball may be the samesize as its regulation counterpart ball. Another embodiment of theinvention may produce a sportball smaller or larger than a regulationball. However, the sportball is generally constructed of materials andin a style typical to the regulation ball it represents. A specialtysportball is a sportball that has a graphic image affixed on theexterior of the sportball, thus producing for example a specialtyfootball.

[0014] Illustrating one embodiment of a specialty sportball, FIG. 1provides a cross sectional view of a specialty football 1 that is formedof four panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 sewn or otherwise secured together to forma traditional football shape. These panels may have a football lining(lining panel) 19, which in one embodiment can be stretch resistant,sewn to the panels before they are secured together to form theregulation football shape. A bladder 6 may be provided within the cavityformed by the football panels for inflating the ball to a desiredpressure. The football panel 2 may have a graphic 7 from a heat transferpanel 9, heat transferred to its exterior surface in a manner known inthe art. One embodiment of the invention provides that the graphic maybe a photograph, the name of a player, a team logo, the score of animportant football game, or any other text or artwork. An exposed side25 of the football panel 2 may be receptive to graphic 7 heattransferred with heat transfer paper 9 onto the panel.

[0015] The heat transfer panel 9 may for one embodiment, be cut fromflat stock into the shape of the football panel 2 as illustrated in FIG.2. This embodiment of the heat transfer panel 9 has ends 16 and 17 andcurved side edges 14 and 15.

[0016] The graphic 7 can be printed on heat transfer paper 9, and thegraphic 7 can be transferred to the exterior surface of the footballpanel 2, which itself is cut from a flat stock of suitable material,such as vinyl or leather, in the same basic shape and dimensions as theheat transfer panel 9, and which has curved edges 11 and 12.

[0017] With the heat transfer paper 9 with graphic 7 adhered to thefootball panel 2, the football panels 2, 3, 4, and 5 are formed into thespecialty football 1 itself. The curved edges of each of the panels areturned inwardly, as seen in FIG. 1, and may be secured to the inwardlyturned edges of the adjacent panel by sewing with thread 13, and foranother embodiment of the invention may be secured using an alternativemeans. The assembly of a football is typically done inside out from thefinal shape that is shown in FIG. 1. An inverted assembly is used sothat the edges may be exposed to facilitate sewing or otherwise securingthe edges together. This is also typical for one embodiment of theassembly for the specialty football 1. Two of the panels mayadditionally have a split between them. The specialty football 1 can beturned outside out through this split, and secured with lacing as with aregulation football.

[0018] The edges 14 and 15 may be sewn or otherwise secured between theedges 11 and 12 of football panel 2 and the adjacent edges of footballpanels 3 and 5 so that edges 14 and 15 are hidden from the exterior ofthe football. Also, the dimensions of the heat transfer paper 9, ifslightly larger than the football panel 2, may not be significantbecause any overlapping paper will ultimately be on the inside of thefootball and unseen.

[0019] After the football panels have been secured together, thefootball is then turned outside out into the configuration as shown inFIG. 1. For one embodiment of the invention, this can be done by hand toavoid damaging the heat transfer paper 9 and the graphic 7 thereon.

[0020] A bladder 6 may next be placed within the football through thepreviously described split between two of the panels. The bladder mayhave an air valve passing through a precut hole in one of the panels toallow the insertion of an inflation needle. The specialty football 1 canthen be laced and inflated to the desired pressure. For one embodimentof the specialty football 1, inflation may be 13 psi (pounds per squareinch). After lacing, excess lace can be trimmed off with the end of thelace being tucked under the lacing on the football. The bladder valvecan be trimmed to be almost flush with the football panel it protrudesthrough. It remains only then to package and ship the completedspecialty football 1 to the customer.

[0021] In an additional embodiment of the invention, a substitution forbladder 6 may include a filler. The filler can be for example, sand,paper, cork, recycled material, material similar to that used in stuffedanimals, and/or a rigid core, such as is illustrated as 20, 21, 22, 23,and 24 as shown in FIG. 1. The filler material can be selected dependingon cost and the application desired.

[0022] Mass personalization of specialty sportballs has never beensuccessfully achieved before mainly because the technology would notallow for cost effective production. Silk screening has been widely usedin the past but is not feasible for small production runs due to highset up costs. The present invention provides a process and apparatusallowing the printing of specialty sportballs with a permanent, premiumquality impression. It has been found that for one embodiment of theinvention, it is important that the footballs are turned outside outmanually. Additionally, before transferring to the football panel 2, oneembodiment of the invention provides that the previously describedgraphic 7 can be printed on the heat transfer paper 9 by a color inkprocess (sportball printer) 10 including, but not limited to, an inkjet(bubble jet) printer, a laser printer, and an impact printer asillustrated in FIG. 4. Waterproof or water resistant outdoor durableinks may be used for one embodiment of the invention, however additionalinks may also be used. The graphic 7 may be designed on a computer 8, orproduced in any alternative manner known in the art and digitallyscanned. The method and system of the present invention can also be usedto place panel images on a specialty sportball after the sportball hasbeen constructed.

[0023] The above-described methods and systems for constructingspecialty sportballs are example methods and systems. These methods andsystems illustrate one possible approach for constructing specialtysportballs. The actual implementation may vary from the methoddiscussed. Moreover, various other improvements and modifications tothis invention may occur to those skilled in the art, and thoseimprovements and modifications will fall within the scope of thisinvention as set forth below.

[0024] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive.

We claim:
 1. A method for constructing a specialty sportball comprising:creating a graphic; producing a print of the graphic as a function of asportball printer; providing at least two panels; transferring the printto at least one panel; attaching the one panel to a second panel; andforming a specialty sportball from the attached panels.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the print is transferred using a heat transfer process.3. The method of claim 1 wherein the panels are selected from a groupcomprising; autograph panels, vinyl panels, and leather panels.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising attaching at least one panel to asecond panel using a thread.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprisingsecuring the panels to at least one lining panel.
 6. The method of claim1 further comprising transferring the print to an autograph panel. 7.The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a bladder into thespecialty sportball.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprisinginserting a filler into the specialty sportball.
 9. The method of claim8 wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of: sand,paper, cork, recycled material, and rigid core.
 10. The method of claim1 further comprising attaching at least one panel to a second panel in amanner that their printable and finished surfaces face the sportballcenter.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising inverting thesportball outside out.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the formedsportball is inverted manually.
 13. A system for constructing aspecialty sportball comprising: means for creating a graphic; means forproducing a print of the graphic as a function of a sportball printer;means for providing at least two panels; means for transferring theprint to at least one panel; means for attaching the one panel to asecond panel; and means for forming a specialty sportball from theattached panels.
 14. The system of claim 13 further comprising means forattaching at least one panel to a second panel using a thread.
 15. Thesystem of claim 13 further comprising means for securing the panel to atleast one lining panel.
 16. The system of claim 13 further comprisingmeans for transferring the print to an autograph panel.
 17. The systemof claim 13 further comprising means for inserting a bladder into thespecialty sportball.
 18. The system of claim 13 further comprising meansfor inserting a filler into the specialty sportball.
 19. The system ofclaim 13 further comprising means for attaching at least one panel to asecond panel in a manner that their printable and finished surfaces facethe sportball center.
 20. The system of claim 19 further comprisingmeans for inverting the sportball outside out.